AIBN-initiated direct thiocyanation of benzylic sp3 C-H with N-thiocyanatosaccharin.

Direct thiocyanations of benzylic compounds have been implemented. Here, a new strategy, involving a free radical reaction pathway initiated by AIBN, was used to construct the benzylic sp3 C-SCN bond. In this way, the disadvantage of other strategies involving introducing leaving groups in advance to synthesize benzyl thiocyanate compounds was overcome. The currently developed protocol also involved the use of readily available raw materials and resulted in high product yields (up to 100%), both being great advantages for synthesizing benzyl thiocyanates.